Orchard-heater.



C. BYRON & A. ARMSTRONG.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

UNITED STATESLIELTENT orrrcn.

QLAYBQRNE BYRON AND ANDREW ARMSTRONG, 0F BIALTO, CALIFORNIA.

ORGHARD-HEATER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, CLAYBORNE BYRON, a citizen of the United States, and ANDREW ARMSTRONG, a subject of Great Britain, both residing at Rialto, in the county of San Bernardino and State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Orchard-Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for raising the temperature in orchards to protect fruit and blossoms from frost.

Objects of this invention are to provide a simple, portable device, in which the combustion of the liquid fuel used is as perfect as possible; the fuel in the device is entirely consumed by a properly induced draft, and in which the lowest level of the liquid fuel in the device may be supplied with air, whereby tarry residues resulting from sluggish and imperfect combustion, are pre vented.

Another and important object of this invention is to provide a device for dispersing not only dry heat of combustion in orchards, but moisture, the presence of which is effectual in preventing damage to the trees in cold weather.

These objects are accomplished by the device described in the following specification, in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1, is an elevation showing the water container in the cover, which is in closed position, and the draft openings, and Fig. 2, is a fragmentary elevation showing the position of the top of the heater during operation.

Referring to the drawing, 1, designates a container or pot for a hydrocarbon fuel, provided with upwardly extending lugs, 2, having studs 3, which project through L- shaped slots 1, in and support a cover 5, either in closed position, as shown in Fig. 1, or in raised position, as shown in Fig. 2. When said cover 5, is raised, as shown, the openings 6 in the upper end of said pot, between said lugs 3, are uncovered, the flames from the burning fuel in the pot, then streaming through said openings. Said Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 12, 1912. Serial No. 714,732.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

cover is provided with a floor 7, forming a tank 8 for water, which is heated by the combustion of gases taking place in the chamber S), below said tank 8, and which chamber serves also to collect unconsumed particles of carbon. The container 1, has a clown-draft flue 10, for admitting air to the fuel, the amount of air being regulated by a door 11, slidable in suitable guide ways 12. To one side of the bottom of said flue 10, and extending downwardly on the inside of and secured to said container or pot 1, by a head 13, is a flue 14, through which, when the fuel has been consumed to a level slightly below the end 15, thereof, a strong draft is induced and maintained, until all the fuel is combusted. A door 16, slidable in guide ways 17, serves to regulate the size of the opening 18, in said flue 1 1, and consequently, the amount of air admitted.

When the fire in the pot is in progress, the cover 5, is in the raised position shown in Fig. 2, the flames issuing from the openings 6, between said lugs, completely enveloping the sides of the tank 8, and causing the water to boil. The steam therefrom mingles with the heat and retards the too rapid dispersion of the heat radiations through the orchard, especially where high winds pre- Vail, and the moisture, as the steam condenses, settles on the fruit and blossoms, thus safeguarding them against frost. \Vhen the fires are no longer required, they are quickly extinguished by dropping the cover 5, to the position shown in Fig. 1.

As seen, the level of the fuel is below the opening 18, of the flue 1 1, and the bottom of the flue 10, extends to within a short distance of the level of the liquid in the pot. In this manner, drafts at two different levels are obtained.

What we claim, is

An orchard heater comprising a liquid fuel container having lateral openings in the upper part thereof, a tank cover, means to hold said cover in adjusted elevated or lowered position to open or close said openings, a vertical downwardly directed draft flue whose lower end extends to near the surface of the fuel when a full charge thereof is in the container, a Vertical downwardly In testimony whereof we have set our directed draft flue whose lower end is 10- hands in the presence of two witnesses.

cated on a level lower than that of said first CLAYBORNE BYRON. named flue, both said fiues being within ANDREW ARMSTRONG. 5 said container, the upper open end of each Witnesses: I

flue being located in an opening in said CATHERINE M. BURKE, container, and closures for said openings. ANTON GLAETZNER, J1".

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents, Washington, D. G. 

